The number one question folks ask me when they're planning to visit Singapore is WHAT CAN I DO WHILE I'M STAYING IN SINGAPORE? Number two is how long should I stay before moving on to visit the rest of Asia?
Gone are the days when the Lion City was just a 1-2 day stopover before continuing your journey into Asia. Today's modern Singapore has come of age and grown into one of the crown Jewels of the asian world.
Today you may want to consider spending at least 6-8 days or more in this beautiful country. In fact you could spend a few weeks and explore exciting new places every day!
So I’ve decided to put up a list of great things to do and awesome sites to see and photograph in Singapore, so you can decide for yourself what you’d like to do and how long you should stay.
Below is a link to all my Blogs about Singapore designed to make your research easier.
See all our Blogs at Singapore Street Shots https://www.singaporestreetshots.com/post/see-all-our-blogs
SIGHTSEEING AROUND SINGAPORE
SITES TO SEE AND PLACES TO VISIT
My best advice is to spend some time and do your research before you arrive. Make a good plan for each day, and be ready to be flexible and alter your plans when needed. If you wait until you’re out in the hot sun and try to figure out what you want to do during the day, you’ll be wasting your valuable time and money.
Listed below are some fantastic sites and locations you can discover during your Singapore holiday.
Marina Bay - Marina Bay Sands and Sky Park
Clarke Quay - Boat Quay - Singapore River Cruise
Gardens by the Bay - Botanical Gardens - Chinese and Japanese Gardens
MacRitchie Reservoir - Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Bishan Park - Fort Canning Park - Mount Faber Park
Far East Square - Dining - Walk and discover Joo Chiat Road - Explore the East, Geylang and Katong areas
Sentosa
Orchard Road Shopping
See my blogs about the sites below for more information on discovering Singapore's neighborhoods.
Our blogs are packed with useful tips and information on how to explore and photograph Singapore's neighborhoods, where you can find the best shophouses, hawkers & markets, and temples-mosques-churches...
Chinatown - Little India - Kampung Glam
Singapore Shophouses - Beautiful Shophouses locations
Hawkers & Markets
Temples-Mosques-Churches
YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED YOUR PHONE
PHONE SERVICE and DATA PLAN
It is 100% imperative that you have a working phone when you travel, otherwise you'll be walking around lost. It's much easier to find your way around using Google Maps.
Personally, I use an Airalo eSIM for my travel data plan. This has worked well for my wife and me as we travel all over the world. Plus, it's very affordable... (5 GB for 10 days works well, plus it's easy to top up).
I recommend you set up an eSIM data plan before you start your trip, along with downloading and installing a couple of taxi apps on your phone.
SINGAPORE TAXI’S
Download and establish a couple of TAXI APPS on your phone before you start your trip. In most cases, you'll need to verify the app using your phone via a text message. Once you have activated your E-SIM, your home number will be disabled, and you cannot verify a taxi app. So do this before you leave home...
TIP - Always take a couple of hotel cards from the front desk, especially when in non-English speaking countries. You can show them to the taxi drivers and have no trouble getting back to your hotel.
Flag Down and Booking Taxis - ComfortDelGro, Strides Premier, TransCab, or Prime
Booking Taxis only - Grab, Ryde, TADA, Gojek
Using Singapore's MRT & BUS System to save time and money
SINGAPORE'S TROPICAL WEATHER
WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS
Singapore's weather is hot and humid, but don't let that intimidate you. Singapore is a first-world country, so air-conditioned cafes and shops are everywhere. Also, the MRT stations, along with all the trains and buses, are air-conditioned, so anytime you feel overheated, just pop in somewhere for a cold drink, no worries.
During the summer months, if you see the sky looking dark and feel a few raindrops, you have about 30-40 seconds to find cover before it pours. Usually, when it storms, it's fast and furious for 20-30 minutes, then the sun comes back out.
IT'S HOT AND HUMID (34°C / 60-70% RH)
A great tip for planning your day is to get out early. Plan your visits to museums and Gardens by the Bay during the hottest time of the day (12-4 pm).
Use the MRT and buses to get around town. It's a fast and inexpensive way to travel, plus the aircon is a welcome break from the heat.
Check out Singapore’s Weather http://www.weather.gov.sg/home/
THE RAINY SEASON (28°C / 80-100% RH)
November to February, it usually ends abruptly around Chinese New Year. In many years, the Singapore rainy season is not that rainy, so it's still a good time of year to visit the Lion City.
Don't worry if it is rainy; it's easy to get around and stay dry using the MRT and buses, and there is still tons of stuff you can do.
In fact, the MRT actually stops inside many of the largest shopping malls and attractions, plus there are covered walkways in most places.
For more details on what you can do in Singapore when it rains, see our blog below.
A Rainy Day Holiday in Singapore
GET OFF THE BEATEN PATH
TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
You won't find temples like the White Temple pictured above in the heart of the city; you'll have to get out into the outlying neighborhoods to discover hidden gems like this.
I highly recommend you spend a few days exploring Singapore's outlying neighborhoods or some of her islands.
In my experience, you discover the most amazing things in the little Mom & Pop stores nestled deep in the neighborhoods.
Sembawang - Punggol - Sengkang - Pasir Ris
Geylang - Kallang
Toa Payoh - Serangoon
Ang Mo Kio - Choa Chu Kang - Bukit Panjang
Bukit Batok - Bukit Timah
Singapore - Off the Beaten Path
SINGAPORE'S ISLANDS
These islands are very interesting to explore and a great day trip for the entire family. Open the links below and read about what you can do on each island, how to get there, and how to prepare.
Pulau Ubin Island
Kusu Island
Saint John's Island
Sister's Island
Singapore Island Cruise Ferry Service at Marina South Pier
FOOD
DINNING AND NIGHT-LIFE
Fine cuisine or Hawkers/Street food
For more information on Fine Dinning, Hawker Food and Night-life see our blog SINGAPORE-HAWKERS-MARKETS & RESTAURANTS
ARTS - CULTURE - HISTORY
MUSEUMS
This is where to spend the hottest time of your day, and Singapore's museums and art galleries are spectacular. My experience with Singapore is that when they do something, they spare no expense.
National Museum of Singapore
Science Centre Singapore
ArtScience Museum
The Children’s Museum
Asian Civilisations Museum
Indian Heritage Centre
Peranakan Museum
Vintage Cameras Museum
Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
Gilman Barracks
GALLERIES
National Gallery Singapore
Singapore Art Museum at Tanjong Pagar District
THEATRES AND PLAYHOUSES
It's no secret that Singapore is the crown jewel of Asia, and as such, it attracts the world's top talent when it comes to the Performing Arts.
Esplanade
Sands Theatre
Victoria Concert Hall
Singapore Repertory Theatre
British Theatre Playhouse
The Star Performing Arts Centre
Shows/Performances - See What’s on in Singapore
SHOPPING MALLS
If you want to shop until you drop, you're in the right town. Singapore has shopping options to accommodate every budget.
Check out this site for Malls & Shopping Centers with MRT access. 86 Malls and Shopping Centers connected to the MRT
Plaza Singapura
Marina Square
VivoCity
Great World
Concorde Shopping Mall
Paragon Shopping Mall
City Square Mall
Suntec City
Ngee Ann City
Mustafa Centre
TOURS
Photo tours
City bus tours
Historical tours
Bicycle tours
Closing Remarks
Ilonka and I hope you enjoy reading our blogs at Singapore Street Shots. Our goal is to make them informative and helpful in researching what to do in Singapore.
We hope you create some fantastic memories and photos, find some new friends, and learn something of Singapore’s fascinating history.
We encourage you to take the road less traveled and get off the beaten path Singapore - Off the Beaten Path
Cheers,
Mark Stevens & Ilonka Guenther
Business Owners, Photographers & Travelers
Singapore Street Shots Pte. Ltd.
Don't forget to LIKE & FOLLOW our Facebook Page and be sure to post your delicious food, Hawker & Market photos, along with a short story about your experience to our Singapore Street Shots Facebook Page.
Comments